Devcom Army Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement For Foundational Research

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement for Foundational Research is a long-term funding opportunity designed to support innovative scientific research that advances the Army’s mission. The Army Research Laboratory serves as the Army’s principal foundational research organization, focused on generating scientific knowledge that enables future operational superiority. This announcement consolidates previous research programs into a single, unified solicitation and seeks proposals aligned with ARL’s mission to operationalize science for national defense. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit cutting-edge research proposals across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including basic and applied research, with potential expansion into advanced technology development. The program emphasizes high-risk, high-payoff ideas that can significantly advance scientific understanding and lead to transformative capabilities for the Army. Research topics are published and continuously updated on the ARL BAA topics website, allowing applicants to align proposals with current areas of interest while also permitting innovative concepts beyond listed topics if they support ARL’s foundational competencies. Funding under this announcement may be provided through multiple mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, and other transaction agreements. The selection of the funding instrument depends on the nature of the proposed work and the level of government involvement required. There are generally no cost-sharing or matching requirements for standard awards, although cost-sharing may apply in specific cases involving other transaction agreements. Funding amounts are not fixed and vary depending on the scope and type of research, with examples ranging from small exploratory awards to multi-year research initiatives. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, foreign entities, and for-profit organizations of all sizes. This wide eligibility reflects the Army’s interest in fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and government sectors. Applicants are encouraged to engage with ARL Technical Points of Contact prior to submission to discuss research ideas and alignment with program priorities, which helps streamline the review process and improve proposal competitiveness. The application process allows for flexible submission pathways. While whitepapers are not required, they are strongly encouraged as an initial step to gauge program interest and receive feedback before submitting a full proposal. Whitepapers are reviewed by technical staff, who may recommend whether a full proposal is encouraged. Full proposals must follow detailed submission guidelines and include technical, administrative, and budget components. Submissions for assistance agreements must be made through Grants.gov, while other proposal types may be submitted via email or Grants.gov depending on the instrument. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the open period of the announcement, which runs from November 21, 2022, through November 20, 2027. There are no fixed deadlines, allowing applicants to submit proposals at any time. Evaluation criteria focus on scientific and technical merit, relevance to the Army mission, and the qualifications of the research team. Additional review processes include peer evaluation and, for selected proposals, risk assessments related to national security considerations. Award decisions are made based on merit review and availability of funding, with the Army reserving the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received. Applicants are notified following evaluation, and funded projects proceed according to negotiated terms and timelines. The program represents a continuous investment in foundational research, supporting long-term scientific discovery and innovation that strengthens national defense capabilities.

Engage early with ARL Technical Points of Contact to align proposals with research priorities;Focus on high-risk high-payoff innovation;Ensure strong alignment with Army mission and research topics